John Cena took to social media Sunday to defend the John Cena Classic, the new WWE event concept he announced at Backlash. The multi-time WWE Champion acknowledged the event may not be perfect but said it authentically represents his values.

"The John Cena Classic may not be perfect by any means yet it's authentically me (I am not perfect either) and reflects my values and beliefs," Cena wrote on X. "I'm aware that there is the risk it might be a total failure and I'm not afraid of that and believe it's still worth stepping 'in the arena.'"

Cena revealed the event concept at Backlash on Saturday in Tampa, Florida. The John Cena Classic will feature NXT wrestlers competing against WWE main roster stars, similar to the undercard of his final match in December.

The event's unique format allows fans to vote for the champion. Even wrestlers who lose their matches remain eligible to win the championship through the fan vote.

Cena explained his motivation for creating the event centers on providing opportunities for NXT talent. "My 'why' in WWE is to consistently be as useful as possible for as long as possible, with my in ring career at an end, my 'why' is to use whatever energy or relevance I have left in hopes to create a launchpad of opportunity for all talent to show their skills while simultaneously creating a unique experience for our dedicated fan base," he wrote.

The WWE icon had promoted his Backlash appearance throughout the previous week, calling it a defining moment in his career. He thanked WWE for the opportunity and said more details about the John Cena Classic will be announced as the concept develops.